How effective is Zumba?

Just jump in. Try not to feel too self concious about the steps or getting the movements exact. If you just starting or like me still fairly heavy you may not be able to go at the same intensity as the skinny ones. Most important thing is that it is fun and just keep moving.

Zumba is AWESOME. I take two classes a week and both of my instructors started teaching it because they lost over 70lbs a piece and wanted to change someone else's life the way theirs had been changed.

Is there like some sort of build-up course first or do you just jump right in? Not gonna lie, I was skeptical in the past, but seeing so many success stories totally changes my mind.

The instructors that I have had always say to just have fun with it and try to follow the movements as best you can. People of all levels do the class without a problem so don't worry, jump in! Some songs they will repeat the next week to make sure you can pick up the moves (they seem to change after a couple of weeks). If you are not sure about a class, there are Zumba dvds/ video games that you can do at home.

Oh I talked with one of my instructors and he told me he ate between 4000-5000 calories a day. He did about 17 classes a week though and burnt off a lot. He would do jumps and do splits in air to touch toesabout 6 feet off the ground. He would also go so low to ground his back was almost on ground and then go back up. Talk about great core strength. Never met anyone as high energy as him ever and that energy was infectious.

Just jump right in! I started Zumba in January and I've lost 4 inches off my waist already! I love it. It feels odd at first but no one looks at you and you just do what you can. I am 220 pounds and started Zumba in January at 230. I do it twice a week and count my calories. You should give it at least 2-3 trys.

ZUMBA is my drug of choice! Just jump in! I am NOT coordinated so when I started 2 yrs ago I was scared to death that I would hurt myself....or worse.....hurt someone near me! It is without a doubt the most fun "exercise" you will ever do!! Give yourself a few classes to get to know the songs. It is hard at first because it will seem like everyone else knows all the songs, which the probably do, but only because they go regularly! You will be like that very soon! The motto in my studio is "Shake it til ya make it!" and "There aren't any mistakes....just solos" :O)

Jump right in!

But, if you want to try out some moves/basics at home, their DVD set has a step-by-step instruction DVD. It's really slow/methodical, and teaches the basics. Now, I don't know how many of those basics I actually apply during class, but they are used in the DVDs.

I LOVE it; I am 60 and only went because my youngest daughter talked me into it and I wanted to 'hang out' with her. Well, it was the longest hour of my life and I thought I was gonna die. When they went left I went right, and I was way over thinking it! Luckily I kept going back (my daughter quit) and guess what I still go left when they go right BUT it doesn't matter; I am having fun and YES, it is the 'secret' to my weight loss. I have sense added other forms of group exercises and it has opened up a brand new world to me. I don't 'feel' judged and well if I am; 'oh well'...I am having fun and it works! Go for it!

I am ADDICTED to Zumba! I believe it is VERY effective - I have lost 11 plus pounds since January - I am staying on my "diet" (1200 cals a day) - I am losing inches like crazy and I can't get enough Zumba

Your instructor will determine the level of your class - some routines are less energetic than others - the steps are all very basic dance moves - you will learn them in time - moves are repeated throughout each routine so you will catch on with time - give it a month or two and before you know it you will know most of the songs the instructor is using and then when a new one comes along - you'll pick it up quickly.

I have an incredible instructor who is a great dancer - used to be a gymnast and cheerleader - he is fabulous and I leave drenched after a class. Some classes have 1/2 hour of "strength training" using light weights - you can buy zumba weights or you can use light hand weights - and then an hour of Zumba after that - and I also have started to do a back to back class - 2 hours of Zumba - Zumba classes go for the entire hour without stopping - take water and drink anytime you need to - JUST HAVE FUN - you won't realize you are exercising after awhile - it is a blast if you love to dance - you'll love Zumba!

You will get out of it what you put into it - there are all different ages shapes and sizes in our classes and we all are at different levels -- don't worry about what you look like - no one cares - as long as you are moving you are doing the right thing!

If you end up enjoying it and want to stick with it - I would suggest getting athletic "dance" shoes that are made to make doing the dance moves easier - treaded athletic shoes work - but you can find yourself sticking a bit on the slides and spins etc....I bought a pair from Zappos.com made by BLOCH - I love them and they made me enjoy the classes even more -

Have fun with it and go burn some calories while you shake your bootie! :laugh:

Aloha - Lynn :flowerforyou:

Definitely jump in- I started in January and I've lost probably about 24 lbs now, and a few inches off my waist and hips, and I'm 260 lbs. If I can do it, you can do it! And nobody watches you, they just watch the instructor. It's a lot of fun.

I'd love to do zumba.. but I'd be so embarrassed and shy to go on my own >< Is it super friendly? Im totally guessing you are but i'm very shy around new people.

Very effective, on my best days i could burn more than 800 calories in a 55 min Zumba class.


I hope you give it a try and most importantly ENJOY it, you don't have to be a regular and know all the moves the first try.


Best wishes, and hope you love it.

The first time I did Zumba, I was wayyy out of shape and not active at all. It was really hard for me to keep up...I even had chest pains after it. I tried it again about a year later after I've been a lot more active (yay college for making me do things) and after an hour, I was ready for more when some of the skinny girls were sweating bullets (made me feel pretty badass).
Also, you get what you put into it. You can half *kitten* the moves, but I wouldn't recommend it. Most people there won't judge you so don't worry about that. If you put a lot into it, you can burn around 800 calories per hour!